I Call Shotgun By Tommy Newberry and Curt Beavers

love that there is a book that is by Dads for sons. You see so many books on Mothers and daughters, though maybe because I have not searched out books with this content.

You can read this book straight through or turn to the lesson you need. As a reader who read straight through, the letter format made the book easier and faster to read. Changes in fonts helped fiend off monotony. Text bubbles gave a modern take and look to letter writing.

I found this book very refreshing by using Bible verses and personal life stories to help explain the lesson. The letters are not demanding, my-way-or-highway. They are positive, understanding and relatable in nature. The Fathers gave their sons respect. As if they are writing in the same context or lesson they are trying to teach (i.e. to teach understanding, the tone of the letter comes from an understanding aspect), if that makes any sense.

Letters to Katie By Kathleen Fuller

Kathleen Fuller finishes up her Middlefield Family series in fantastic form with Letters to Katie. She promised me she would tie up loose ends of the series in this book -- and she did a superb job of fulfilling that promise.

The story is filled with great characters -- like Katherine, Johnny, Sawyer, Laura, and Cora -- many of whom are familiar "faces" from the earlier books. There is enough uncertainty in Katherine's and Johnny's story to keep you turning the pages, and the continuing struggle between Sawyer and his grandmother adds a whole other dimension of interest.

Kathleen has delivered a thoughtful message of people learning the importance of giving up personal goals to search for God's plans -- and the sometimes unexpected benefits of doing so.

I would highly recommend Letters to Katie to anyone who enjoys great Amish fiction. You will likely appreciate the story more, though, if you first read Treasuring Emma and Faithful to Laura.

Thanks to Kathleen and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

THE HEIRESS OF WINTERWOOD

By Sarah Ladd

The Heiress of Winterwood is a great story that really held my attention throughout the book. It has a gripping opening and a great story. The story is about a young woman who is about to inherit her family's estate, but only if she is married. She is engaged to a man whom she believes will be the right man to take her and her estate where it should be. However, in the meantime, she befriends a woman whose husband is off to war. A baby is born, but her friend dies and she has promised her friend to care for the baby. Her betrothed refuses to allow her to take care of the baby after they marry. So, she decides to go against everyone and propose to the baby's father.
The story takes several turns and goes in a different direction than I anticipated. While it felt like the baby's father and she would eventually be married, there were some uncertain plot turns. About halfway through the book, the story really became engaging such that I really wanted to read until it was finished.
This was a great story and I would read more from this author should I have the chance.

Moon Over Edisto By Beth Webb Hart

Moon Over Edisto is a compelling story of a family journey toward healing after one man's ultimate betrayal. The author Beth Webb Hart did an incredible job of writing sensitively about an extremely touchy subject. Her extensive character development allows readers to see the effects of extramarital affairs through the eyes of both children and adults.
There were many things that I enjoyed about this book. I was thrilled when the main character Julia was introduced as an artist at the beginning of the book. As a young painter, I strongly relate to Julia's journey toward discovering her voice in the art world. It was fascinating to read that, of all the places Julia had lived in and traveled to, her hometown of Edisto, South Carolina provided the richest art inspiration for her work.
I also enjoyed reading about Marne's sweet children, especially little Etta. Although I struggled to like Marne at first, her children immediately captured my heart. They were bright, creative, and very shy. They lived in poverty, yet did their best to make the best of their situation. I enjoyed reading about how Julia invested in the children's lives by teaching them to fish, taking the girls shopping, cleaning their house (even getting rid of the fleas), and giving art lessons. Julia exemplified what unconditional love looks like.
The only thing I disliked about this book was that I was left with many questions about Julia's father. The author describes the man as an idealism, loving dad. Yet, the man was easily swayed to have an affair with his daughter's best friend (gross!) and to divorce his wife. As I read, I kept thinking, If he was such an amazing man, why would he do that? I wish the author had included a major character flaw or a specific moment of weakness that might have given a sense of closure to the affair.
Overall, Moon Over Edisto is a very engaging, touching fiction book. The main character Julia displays unconditional love and grace that extends beyond what society considers to be fair. Her actions inspired me to extend kindness and grace to others, regardless of whether or not it is deserved. I give Moon Over Edisto four out of five stars. Due to the discussions of extramarital affairs, I recommend this book to readers at high school level and above.
In exchange for an honest review, Book Sneeze provided me with a complimentary book.

SHE SPEAKS

   By Michele Clark Jenkins

She Speaks: Wisdom from the Women of the Bible to the Modern Black Woman by Michele Clark Jenkins offers guidance for the African American woman based on the love of God for Jesus and us all.
This book takes the women of both the new and the old testaments and shows how God elevated these women even though man has put them down since the creation. Many of the featured biblical women have African descent but they all have God's love.
From Eve to Jezebel and Hannah, nearly all the major women in the Bible are represented here. There is a complete biblical reference and strong parallels between today's African American woman and each woman in the Bible.
There's not a lot of reading in the book, many pages have just a paragraph or a few sentences and a picture of a woman on them. I was surprised to find that the book had photos and color print as this is unusual and eye catching. This would make a nice gift book. Also I think that women of European, Asian and other descent could also benefit, as many of us don't clearly understand the African American woman's experience with her faith.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion here is entirely my own.

SISTERS IN FAITH

HOLY BIBLE

BY Michele Clark Jenkins

Stephanie Perry Moore

 

 

I love Bibles. My whole family just loves them. We have at least one Bible in every room (well not the bathroom cause that would be weird). So anytime I get the opportunity to review a Bible, I go for it! Sometimes I might get a little overzealous and not pay enough attention to the Bible and its intended audience. That was the case with the Sisters in Faith Holy Bible. It is a lovely Bible and I noticed all the beautiful women across the bottom of the cover but I didn't notice they were all African American or that it said "Encouraging and Empowering African-American Women with God's Truth." All I can say is I will try to pay better attention from now on and I love the Bible anyway!!
So even though I would not be the intended target of this Bible, I will give you my honest review and it will be a lovely Christmas gift to a wonderful African- American friend of mine. First of all the dust jacket is bright and beautiful. The cover itself is a rich purple (my favorite color!) and it is a hardback which insures it will be intact for many years. Inside the cover is a picture of church ladies in colorful dresses and hats and that same picture reappears on inside of the back cover. The Bible comes in the King James Version.
The features include:
Bible highlights
A Plan of Salvation
Overviews of each book of the Bible
Devotionals to delve deeper into the readings
Extra note taking pages
Maps
And so much more.....
This Bible is so feminine. I love the light colors, the delicate pages, and the notations of "She Speaks." These are small passages outlined throughout the Bible to help you better understand the females that are in the Bible. Stories of women like Sapphira and Mary, The Mother of Jesus. I believe any woman would really enjoy this Bible. I also think the beautiful extras geared towards African-American women will be appreciated by those women. This would make a wonderful Christmas gift (imagine giving a Bible on the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus!).
I received this Bible from booksneeze.com for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

AN ANGLE BY HER SIDE

By Ruth Reid

I couldn't wait to pick up this book! I really enjoyed the first two books in the Heaven on Earth series by Ruth Reid and I knew that this one would be another fantastic read! This author keeps getting better. She perfectly blends the Amish genre in seamlessly with angel fiction and the result is amazing. The second and third book really shows that the author is finding her niche. If you're looking for a great series to read this year then I strongly suggest these books.
About the Story:
Katie Bender is a twenty-nine year old school teacher and borders on "old maid" status in her Amish culture. After the death of her fiancée--Katie accepts that it may not be God's will for her to marry and have children and teaching becomes a passion for her. That is--until the school and her community is hit by a devastating storm that destroys everything in its path.
Seth Stutzman arrived in the community before the storm and as fate would have it--he is the one who helps Katie and her school children escape from the school's storm cellar. His presence in Hope Falls is a mission as well. He is there to help his brother-in-law who is still grieving the loss of his wife. The situation that Seth finds in the home is an emotionally charged train wreck. Amos has become bitter and depressed and his children are also suffering.
Amos has stopped going to church and refuses to help with rebuilding the community. Despite struggling with a hidden learning disability and a dark secret that has destroyed his confidence--Seth is determined to do his part. He jumps in on the relief efforts and finds encouragement in an old man that no one seems to know. Perhaps he is from a neighboring community?
What is unknown to Katie and Seth is that the friendly and helpful old man named Elias is actually an angel. He is watching over Katie and Seth and even Amos--protecting them from the fallen angel, Razzen who is bent on destroying lives and turning this family away from God and away from each other. I particularly enjoyed the struggle and the battle scenes that raged between Razzen and Elias. It is a very interesting and unique concept taking place within the story.
This book was a smashing hit. Once again I was pulled into the community of Hope Falls and hung on every bit of dialogue between the characters and also between the angel and demon. I thought it very interesting that these characters were not your run-of-the-mill-perfect characters that are often presented in books and rather had very real issues. Amos had his depression, Katie was often overbearing and Seth struggles with dyslexia. Very real characters that you can relate to! If you're looking for new Amish fiction to read that is unique--Ruth Reid's Heaven on Earth series is well worth the read!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255